Issue Brief Addresses Advancing Diagnostic Safety in Older Adults

State of the Science and Future Directions To Improve Diagnostic Safety in Older Adults, a new AHRQ issue brief highlights the unique patient, clinician, and systemic-related factors that impact diagnostic errors in older adults, with the objective of identifying opportunities for diagnostic improvement.

The number of older Americans is projected to nearly double by 2060, with those aged 85 and older—many of whom have multiple chronic conditions and complex health and social needs—expected to nearly quadruple between 2000-2040. The issue brief provides several recommendations for practice improvement, research, and policy to reduce older adults’ risk of diagnostic error. It also underscores the critical role of caregivers in the diagnostic process, recognizing the valuable insights they contribute.

Select to access the issue brief, plus other AHRQ publications related to diagnostic safety.